Effects of Physical-Cognitive Exercise on Attention and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Male University Esports Athletes

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of combined physical–cognitive exercise on attentional performance and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (serum BDNF) levels in male varsity esports athletes. Thirty-two participants were allocated into four groups: physical–cognitive exercise (PCE), physical exercise (PE), cognitive exercise (CE), and control (C), using matched assignment based on a pre-test of attention performance. Participants trained twice weekly for four weeks. Attention performance was assessed using attentional blink (AB), visual search (VS), and reaction light tasks before and after the intervention. Serum BDNF levels were measured at baseline, immediately after the first training session, and after four weeks. Significant effects of time (p = .042), group (p = .018), and time × group interaction (p = .003) were observed for serum BDNF. The PE group showed the greatest acute increase, whereas the PCE group demonstrated the greatest increase after four weeks. AB accuracy significantly improved over time with a significant interaction effect (p = .027). Visual search and reaction light response times also improved over time (p < .001). These findings indicate that physical exercise may contribute more strongly to acute neurotrophic responses, while combined physical–cognitive exercise may be associated with greater long-term changes in BDNF and improvements in selected aspects of attentional performance.